Point Borough Day on Saturday
It takes less time to travel from New York to Trinidad than attempting to drive to from Port of Spain to Point Fortin – a journey of some 65 miles – on Borough Day.
Unless, you are familiar with the maze of bumpy oil field roads from Santa Flora or Palo Seco, literally, through the bush, which is a little known alternative route – forget it!
You will take the better part of a day to get to Point in bumper to bumper traffic from La Romaine along the better known South Trunk Road.
Get to Point Fortin, one day early, on Friday and bunk down at a friend or obtain paid accommodation.
Borough Day, which has been celebrated in the southern oil town since the 1980s, has become a cultural phenomenon of sorts: it would appear that the whole of the East West Corridor converges on Point Fortin and one has to book months in advance to get a flight from New York or Toronto. Just to get to Point Fortin for Borough Day.
The day starts with Jour Ouvert celebrations and in the afternoon there is the “Pan On The Move” competition with all the top steelbands in the country competing.
This is the clincher that attracts thousands and the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and top businessmen can be seen mingling with the masses to savour sweet pan.
The celebrations began a couple of weeks ago with a number of activities, including a “Borough Queen” show and a “Tobago Night”.
This weekend there will be the novel “Ultimate Charmer” competition which will feature seven men who must prove that they can “woo any lady”.
The contestants will wear boxer shorts, casual wear and formal wear and at stake will be $10,000 for the winner. Wow!
Will you be there for Borough Day?